Vladimir Putin

Chronology of Coverage

Jul. 28, 2015

Hard-liners in Russian government loyal to Pres Vladimir V Putin have begun attack on Anatoly B Chubais, who is best known for his work in shaping post-Soviet economy of Russia and is currently head of state-owned company Rusnano; reasons behind attack, which has included persecution of some of Chubais's allies, are unclear but could be political or economic in nature. MORE

Jul. 17, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin rejects United Nations tribunal for Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which is believed to have been destroyed in 2014 by surface-to-air missile fired from territory controlled by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. MORE

Jul. 16, 2015

Direct involvement of Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin in Iran's nuclear agreement has burnished his diplomatic credentials even as he finds himself increasingly ostracized by West; Putin played key role in lifting 2010 arms embargo as part of agreement. MORE

Jul. 12, 2015

Russian research foundation Dynasty Fund will shut down as result of being labeled foreign agent by Russian government, despite fact that it has been major funding source for Russian science; is one of several organizations, along with humans rights organization Memorial, that have become unlikely casualties under Russia's campaign to expose foreign influences seen as threatening by Pres Vladimir Putin. MORE

Jul. 11, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin says to reporters at meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS group of rising economic powers that punitive financial and economic sanctions should no longer be used against any country in world; Russia has suffered from sanctions for its activities in Ukraine, and Putin calls for end to similar measure used against Iran. MORE

Jul. 9, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin vows to add yoga to his exercise repertoire at meeting with Indian Prime Min Narendra Modi, who thanked Putin for Soviet’s salute of International Yoga Day, global celebration initiated by Modi; meeting was part of two Russian summit meetings with number of global leaders in attempt to show that Western efforts to isolate Russia over Ukrainian crisis have failed. MORE

Jul. 2, 2015

Russian government's crackdown on Muslim citizens causes Islam converts to flee, escaping near-constant surveillance and violent scrutiny; Russian stance is fueled by historic fear of separatist extremism and challenges to Orthodox Christian national identity that Pres Vladimir Putin has used to unite a post-Soviet Communism population. MORE

Jun. 26, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin and Pres Obama speak over phone in first instance of direct contact between two leaders in four months due to Russian actions in Ukraine; discuss fight against Islamic State, spread of radicalism in Middle East and negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program; American officials say Obama focused on conflict in Ukraine. MORE

Jun. 22, 2015

Editorial argues Russian Pres Vladimir Putin seems increasingly desperate as he maintains fiction that West is to blame for provoking tensions in Ukraine and initiating new Cold War; contends planned extension of European Union sanctions, along with realignment of NATO forces, show that Putin has so far been unable to split trans-Atlantic alliance against his annexation of Crimea. MORE

Jun. 20, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin and Greek Prime Min Alexis Tsipras put on show of solidarity and economic cooperation at annual gathering of global business executives at St Petersburg International Economic Forum; statements issued by both governments following bilateral talks, in which no mention is made of Russian financial assistance to Greece, suggest that show was more opportunity to deride European Union than anything else. MORE

Jun. 17, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin, during his opening address nation's first high-tech military exposition, says country will add 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles to its nuclear stockpile in 2015 and repeats pledge that at least 70 percent of all weapons will be modernized by 2020; analysts say Russia does not have technology or finances for such improvements. MORE

Jun. 11, 2015

Russia's Pres Vladimir V Putin meets privately with Pope Francis at Vatican, where he is urged to comply with Minsk accords for Ukrainian peace; Putin's second audience with the pontiff in 18 months underscores Russian leader's comfort zone in Italy despite European Union's united effort to sanction and isolate him. MORE

Jun. 7, 2015

Pres Obama plans to use Group of 7 meeting in Germany to call for sustained effort to isolate Russian Pres Vladimir Putin via economic sanctions; issue is expected to consume much focus at gathering, to detriment of other issues. MORE

Jun. 7, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir Putin calls on United States and Europe to pressure Ukrainian government to comply with cease-fire accord; contrary to opinions held by Western leaders, Putin has laid blame for failure to carry out political components of agreement on Ukraine and says Russia does not control separatists there. MORE

Jun. 6, 2015

Ukrainian Pres Petro O Poroshenko tries to rally international support to maintain pressure on Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin, including sanctions, for Russia's backing of separatist forces in Ukraine; Poroshenko's efforts, which include interviews with foreign journalists, news conference and phone calls to world leaders, are being undertaken in advance of summit meeting of Group of 7 nations. MORE

Jun. 6, 2015

Berlin Memo; Germany's role in isolating Russia and Pres Vladimir V Putin over aggression in Ukraine has left some Germans regretful that relationship built over 25 years is in danger; Germany is set to host Group of Seven meeting where issue of Russia will be central, and some worry that excluding Russia from talks may be a mistake. MORE

Jun. 2, 2015

Editorial criticizes Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin for issuing decree classifying information about Russian casualties in 'special operations' as military secrets, yet another ratcheting up of climate of propaganda and secrecy in country; warns that decree could endanger journalists and human rights activists who report information about soldiers' deaths, and that it could be preliminary step in another military push into Ukraine. MORE

May. 29, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin declares deaths or wounds of Russian soldiers can be classified as military secrets--even in peacetime; continues to deny that Russian soldiers are fighting in Ukraine. MORE

May. 29, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir Putin denounces arrests of top FIFA officials, accusing United States of trying to take 2018 World Cup away from Russia. MORE

May. 23, 2015

Two-day meeting of European leaders in Riga, Latvia, meant to give new life to so-called Eastern Partnership, is bedeviled by fact that Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin has put so much pressure on former Soviet republics to back away from West; European Union declares meeting a success simply because leaders attended. MORE

May. 19, 2015

Ukrainian government announces capture of Russian soldiers Yevgeny Yerofeyev and Aleksandr Aleksandrov near city of Luhansk, stronghold of pro-Russian rebels; Russian Pres Vladimir Putin reiterates denial that troops have been deployed in Ukraine; Aleksandrov, in video posted to YouTube, admits to serving in country; soldiers will be tried on terrorism charges. MORE

May. 16, 2015

News Analysis; Sec of State John Kerry's visit to Sochi has been widely seen in Russia as acknowledgment that American efforts to isolate country and Pres Vladimir V Putin has not succeeded; Putin seems to have emerged as national hero who has stood up to West and given up nothing after more than year of facing international criticism for seizure of Crimea. MORE

May. 14, 2015

Editorial observes meeting between Russian Pres Vladimir Putin and Sec of State John Kerry represents slight but welcome thawing of diplomatic relations between their countries; says value of meeting is so far only symbolic, with Russia unlikely to cede Crimea or agree to final cease-fire with Ukraine, but that it is nonetheless a good first step; notes importance of tamping down acrimony as US seeks Russian cooperation amid crisis in Syria. MORE

May. 13, 2015

Sec of State John Kerry meets with Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin in Sochi, Russia, for over four hours on reaching strategy to end Syrian war and solve Ukraine crisis. MORE

May. 12, 2015

Sec of State John Kerry meets with Russian Pres Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia, to discuss possibilities for political resolution to conflict in Syria. MORE

May. 11, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin uses visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to call for renewed relationship with Europe, ignoring Western leaders' boycott of Russian Victory Day parade celebrating 70th anniversary of end of World War II. MORE

May. 9, 2015

Diplomatic Memo; Chinese Pres Xi Jinping will be most prominent leader at 70th anniversary celebration of Russia's defeat of Nazis, sign of Xi's efforts to burnish his country's international image; Xi's presence is also boon for Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin as evidence of successful pivot to Far East; image both leaders wish to project is slightly at odds with reality and history. MORE

Apr. 25, 2015

Polish Foreign Ministry says nationalistic Russian motorcycle club Night Wolves, which has close ties to Pres Vladimir V Putin, will not be allowed to ride through country on way to commemorate end of World War II in Berlin. MORE

Apr. 23, 2015

European Commission accusations targeting Gazprom's pricing policies have come at time when Russian state-owned energy giant has become vulnerable due to market forces; policies at issue have been used by Kremlin to further political goals, but at same time have made it difficult for company to respond to market pressures; analysts suggest that for time being Pres Vladimir V Putin's political ends will trump Gazprom's profits. MORE

Apr. 22, 2015

Workers across Russia, unhappy over unwanted days off and unpaid wages, are beginning to protest and go on strike, in first nationwide unrest against Pres Vladimir V Putin's economic plan; economy is hurting from sanctions and falling energy prices; strikes uncover discontent rarely seen in country. MORE

Apr. 17, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin tries to paint rosy picture of Russian economy at his annual national call-in show as he fields questions from across the country on issues like dairy cow production, small-business loans and rising price of car insurance. MORE

Apr. 16, 2015

Night Wolves, Russian biker group with ties to Pres Vladimir V Putin, is planning to ride from Moscow to Berlin in April to celebrate 70th anniversary of Soviets' victory over Nazi Germany; residents of countries along route have objected to ride, interpreting it as sign of Russia's aggression toward its neighbors. MORE

Apr. 16, 2015

Editorial decries series of chilling nuclear threats issued by Russian Pres Vladimir Putin, including their potential deployment should NATO increase its presence in the Baltic states; holds Putin's behavior is rooted in an intense if dangerous sense of nationalism, and marks an enormous step backwards for Russia's recent history as a partner in arms control treaties with the West; calls for Western allies to remain firm in face of Putin's belligerence. MORE

Apr. 15, 2015

Apr. 14, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin approves $800 million sale of air defense missile system to Iran; sale may complicate negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, and seems to lend credence to Israeli and Arab concerns that deal and lifting of sanctions will create boom in Iranian economy, strengthening its influence in region. MORE

Apr. 9, 2015

Greek Prime Min Alexis Tsipras and Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin, during news conference, say that their discussions during Tsipras's controversial visit to Russia focused on economic issues and that Tspiras had not asked for direct financial assistance from Russia; Tsipras reiterates criticism of Western sanctions against Russia, casting doubt on possibility of future sanctions. MORE

Apr. 7, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin's welcome to visiting Cyprus Pres Nicos Anastasiades, along with extension of $2.5 billion Russian loan to country, is example of how Putin is trying to erode support for sanctions against Russia over Ukraine; focus on Cyprus shows Russia's skill at playing on fissure in European Union unity, as it will seek to do during Greek Finance Min Alexis Tsipras's upcoming visit to Moscow. MORE

Mar. 21, 2015

Vladimir Tolstoy, great-great-grandson of novelist Leo Tolstoy, has worked as cultural adviser to Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin since 2012; his efforts to establish less aggressive, Western-friendly cultural policy have helped bridge gap between country's ardent nationalists and its liberal intellectuals. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

Critics of Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin warn he has permitted Chechnya's leader Ramzan A Kadyrov to gain greater power as an unpredictable despot in region; Russian security services detest him because Putin allows him to act with impunity; Kadyrov is at center of mystery surrounding murder of opposition leader Boris Y Nemtsov. MORE

Mar. 19, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir Putin holds rally and concert in Moscow to celebrate first anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea; at same time, Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine warn that fragile cease-fire there is at risk because Ukrainian government has not moved quickly enough to grant them political autonomy. MORE

Mar. 17, 2015

Mar. 16, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir Putin, in documentary Homeward Bound, reveals that he considered putting Russia's nuclear arsenal on alert during Crimean crisis due to concerns about anarchy and Western intervention; film was produced to celebrate anniversary of 2014 annexation of the peninsula. MORE

Mar. 15, 2015

Polish paramilitary groups have seen surge in membership and training exercises as ongoing Crimean crisis provokes fear that Russian Pres Vladimir Putin will attack their nation next; Polish Defense Ministry has said it will provide military training to any civilian volunteers beginning in March; heightened atmosphere throughout region reflects fear of an increasingly aggressive and unpredictable Russia and historic legacy of Russian dominance in Eastern Europe. MORE

Mar. 14, 2015

Speculation mounts in Russia and abroad about why Pres Vladimir V Putin has not been seen in public for more than week; Putin canceled trip to Kazakhstan and has missed annual meeting of top officials from Russia's domestic intelligence service; rampant speculation and difficulty in quashing story underscores uneasy mood that has gripped Moscow for months. MORE

Mar. 10, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir Putin, in clip from upcoming documentary film Homeward Bound, says planning for annexation of Crimean peninsula began weeks before Crimean referendum; comments contradict his earlier claims that referendum was main reason for military intervention. MORE

Mar. 7, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin announces 10 percent pay cut for himself and other government officials in hopes of gaining popular support amid sharply rising food prices; country's financial crisis is due largely to drop in oil prices and Western sanctions over Ukrainian conflict. MORE

Mar. 5, 2015

Russian Pres Vladimir V Putin makes first public statement about murder of Kremlin critic Boris Y Nemtsov; says killing was politically motivated and calls for end to such crimes. MORE

Mar. 3, 2015

Serge Schmemann Editorial Observer eulogizes Boris Nemtsov, Russian opposition politicians who has been murdered; praises Nemtsov for never faltering in his criticism of Pres Vladimir V Putin's government, despite threats against him. MORE